“We establish an unshakeable bridge from the past to the future with every cultural heritage we rejuvenate”

 

Speaking at the re-opening of the newly-restored Vaniköy Mosque, President Erdoğan said: “We deem it necessary to protect the monuments we have inherited from our ancestors in terms of the preservation of our roots and spiritual bonds. We establish an unshakeable bridge from the past to today and to the future with every cultural heritage we rejuvenate.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the re-opening ceremony of the recently-restored Vaniköy Mosque in the Istanbul district of Istanbul.

Describing the historical Vaniköy Mosque as one of the symbolic venues of Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, President Erdoğan reminded that the 358-year-old mosque was heavily damaged during a fire 2.5 years ago.

Stressing that the mosque had acted as the heart of its region for 3.5 centuries before it was destroyed by fire, President Erdoğan, regarding the restoration of the mosque, said: “I believe that the mosque will soon become one of the popular sites of Istanbul. I hope the mosque, re-opened for worshipping following the restoration, may be auspicious for the district and Istanbul. I would like to thank all from workers to the architect, engineers to craftsmen who have contributed its re-inauguration.”

Underlining that mosques are not only houses of worship but also title deeds showing our eternal ownership of these lands, President Erdoğan stated: “Mosques are our identity cards. They are the spiritual bridges connecting us to our thousands-year-old glorious history.”

President Erdoğan added: “We deem it necessary to protect the monuments we have inherited from our ancestors in terms of the preservation of our roots and spiritual bonds. We establish an unshakeable bridge from the past to today and to the future with every cultural heritage we rejuvenate.”